Texans on lookout at scouting combine

Rice tight end Vance McDonald has shown potential to deliver at the next level. (Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle)

INDIANAPOLIS — General manager Rick Smith heads a Texans contingent that includes every member of the personnel, coaching and medical department for the start of the scouting combine.

The combine at Lucas Oil Stadium ends Monday for 333 prospects who hope to impress the scouts enough to improve their draft stock.

The combine isn’t a time only for scouting. Teams use it to negotiate with their players who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on March 12.

Smith and a vice president of football administration Chris Olsen will spend part of the combine negotiating with agents for some of their key free agents — outside linebacker Connor Barwin (agent Scott Smith), free safety Glover Quin (Michael Hoffman) and fullback James Casey (Jeff Nalley).

While the medical staff, including team doctors, will examine players who had or have injuries, the scouts and coaches will be evaluating players.

Even though they finished 12-4, won the AFC South and reached the second round of the playoffs, the Texans have needs on both sides of the ball.

Right tackle Derek Newton is recovering from surgery on his quad tendon, and swing tackle Ryan Harris will be a free agent, so they need depth at that position.

If they can’t re-sign Barwin or Glover, they’ll need replacements at their positions. They need an inside linebacker to play next to Brian Cushing.

Nose tackle Shaun Cody is recovering from surgery on his spine. If he’s not re-signed, they’ll need to find a player behind Earl Mitchell.

And owner Bob McNair said after the season that if there’s a quarterback coach Gary Kubiak can’t live without, they’ll draft him.

Scouts say this draft should have quality depth at a lot of positions but lacks big-time players at the top. Quarterbacks, running backs and receivers might get shut out among the top-10 picks.

West Virginia’s Geno Smith, who will throw, is trying to convince the scouts on the field and in meetings that he’s worthy of the top pick that belongs to Kansas City, a team desperate for a quarterback.

Photo: Michael Conroy / Associated Press

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1. Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame

He’s got a lot of explaining to do about his imaginary girlfriend and getting flattened by Alabama.

1. Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame

He’s got a lot of explaining to do about his imaginary girlfriend and getting flattened by Alabama.

Photo: Michael Conroy / Associated Press

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2. Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

Kicked out of school in a cloud of smoke, he’s got to convince scouts he’s serious about the game.

2. Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

Kicked out of school in a cloud of smoke, he’s got to convince scouts he’s serious about the game.

Photo: John Bazemore / Associated Press

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3. Alec Ogletree, MLB, Georgia

Tremendous prospect with four-game suspension for substance abuse and DUI on his record.

3. Alec Ogletree, MLB, Georgia

Tremendous prospect with four-game suspension for substance abuse and DUI on his record.

Photo: John Rauoux / Associated Press

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4. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

He can solidify himself as the best prospect at his position with a strong throwing performance.

4. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

He can solidify himself as the best prospect at his position with a strong throwing performance.

Photo: Justin K. Aller / 2012 Getty Images

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5. Corradelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

An incredible talent who electrifies when he has the ball but played only one season with the Vols.

5. Corradelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

An incredible talent who electrifies when he has the ball but played only one season with the Vols.

Photo: Wade Payne / Associated Press

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6. Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

He’s got the size, speed and statistics, and this is his chance to move into the second spot at his position.

6. Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

He’s got the size, speed and statistics, and this is his chance to move into the second spot at his position.

Photo: Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press

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7. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

The Wolverines quarterback has to prove to scouts he can be a dynamic receiver and kick returner.

7. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

The Wolverines quarterback has to prove to scouts he can be a dynamic receiver and kick returner.

Photo: Tony Ding / Associated Press

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8. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

Has played football for three years and started only one year, but he has exceptional talent off the edge.

8. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

Has played football for three years and started only one year, but he has exceptional talent off the edge.

Photo: Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press

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9. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Needs to run incredibly fast to compensate for lack of size, but he may be the most versatile player in the draft.

9. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Needs to run incredibly fast to compensate for lack of size, but he may be the most versatile player in the draft.

Photo: Chris Jackson / Associated Press

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10. Vance McDonald, TE, Rice

He’s got size and speed and needs to pick up where he left off at the Senior Bowl, where he impressed scouts.

10. Vance McDonald, TE, Rice

He’s got size and speed and needs to pick up where he left off at the Senior Bowl, where he impressed scouts.